Thursday, April 23, 2009

I must admit, I really enjoy being out and about. Last night, Wednesday, April 22, 2009, was a perfect example as to why.

The Missouri History Museum held an Opening Reception for the Mary Lee Bendolph, Gee’s Bend Quilts, and Beyond Exhibition. Quilters and members of the Gee’s Bend, Alabama community were in attendance as the press and Museum Members were treated to a view of the exhibit and a chance to meet the quilters and the curator of the exhibit. The exhibit is open until September 13 and I was amazed at the color and work of the quilts on displays.

We were also treated to a performance. The ladies sang some spirituals.

Also that evening, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern Missouri hosted a special thank you reception for ‘Bigs’ (a big brother or sister mentor). I’ve been a volunteer with BBBS for nearly 6 years. If you would like to make a difference in a child’s life, then BBBS would love to help you make a new friend. Sign up today. Here are photos from the reception hosted at the BBBS Offices at the corner of Grand Ave and Olive Blvd.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

I'm very excited about Earth Day! And so is St. Louis. The host of activities for the Annual Earth Day Celebration at Forest Park and throughout the city are bustling at the seams.

I'll post an exhaustive list of great things to do with your fam, friends or alone. In the meantime, check out this link to all of the great give-aways from merchants: Holidays Examiner: Earth Day Freebies

Friday, April 17, 2009

Serving the community is perfect way to spend time making our city better. Even if you’ve been affected by the recent economic downturn, service is a perfect way to stay busy and productive. Community service allows you to continue using your skills. It may also help you cultivate new skills to expand your work possibilities. Not only that, serving others gives most people a bright positive feeling inside which is important for fighting off any feelings of sadness or desperation which can occur when one is laid off.Here are a few volunteer opportunities I know about. Maybe I’ll see you around the water cooler soon.

Saturday, April 18th & Sunday April 19, 2009Volunteer Shifts: 11:00-2:30 & 2:15-5:0015th Anniversary Grand South Grand House TourTour begins in Tower Grove Park (inside main entrance @ Grand & Pestalozzi)The South Grand Community Improvement District is seeking volunteers to work at the Fifteenth Anniversary Grand South Grand House Tour. This tour will showcase the architectural and personal styles of grand living in five neighborhoods linked by South Grand Boulevard: Compton Heights, Compton Hill Reservoir Square, Shaw, Tower Grove East and Tower Grove Heights and includes two of the areas best known homes. The event will also feature a wine tasting, delicious food and great music. Free parking and free shuttles will be provided to transport participants throughout the tour. If you are interested in volunteering, contact us at: http://us.mc01g.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=volunteer@fuelforthecity.org.

Sunday, April 19 – Saturday, April 25, 2009National volunteer WeekThe Mission Continues, a Military Veterans Service Group, is asking everyone to perform an Hour of Service this week as a tribute to our veterans and active military personnel. You can lead a Veterans Tribute project or volunteer at your local veterans home or war memorial.Register: Email Chris Martinez, our Director of Volunteer Outreach, at cmartinez@missioncontinues.org or call 314.588.8805

OngoingVolunteer Math Tutors NeededThe Roosevelt High School Community Council is looking for area residents, who enjoy helping young people, to volunteer to tutor high school students at Roosevelt High School (3230 Hartford Street). The subject areas are basic math, pre-algebra and algebra. Volunteers are asked to volunteer for two hours per day, one or two days per week, for a semester at a time. The tutoring sessions will occur during the school day. Tutors will be provided with a lesson plan for each session and all necessary materials for instruction. All volunteer tutors will be screened through the St. Louis Public Schools, which includes a background check. A flyer with more detailed information is attached. Please feel free to share this information with family and friends who might be interested in volunteering. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Katie Kappel at http://us.mc01g.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=katiekappel@gmail.com .

Ongoing – month of MayDesign Ideas Charity StoreHome Décor and Home/Office Organization products for 75% off retail ALL of the PROCEEDS benefit Four great local charities, the Missouri Botanical Garden, The National Children’s Cancer Society, Character Pus, and Edgewood Children’s Center.Volunteer Shift Workers needed.Mon – Fri: 10am – 8pmSat-Sun: 10am – 6pmShifts are 2-3 hrs in length, no heavy lifting.Volunteers get a special sneak-peek shopping opportunity.Sign up now. Contact Norma Fraser 314 577-0278 or norma.fraser@mobot.org

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Noted environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will speak on Tuesday, April 14 at the St. Louis Science Center. Kennedy will present "Our Environmental Destiny", discussing the role natural resources play in the work, health and identity of Americans and his belief that all people have a responsibility to protect and preserve the planet for future generations. This is the kickoff event for this weekend's program - Eco Expo also at the St. Louis Science Center.

Kennedy wrote the very thought-provoking and compelling foreward of the New York Times Bestseller – The Green Collar Economy by now Green Jobs White House Advisor Van Jones. .

Friday, April 03, 2009

Thu April 27:00 pmFree Screening of Crips and Bloods: Made In America an Independent Lens filmSponsored by KETC Channel 9 and the Missouri History MuseumMissouri History Museum (Forest Park).Filmmaker Stacy Peralta hits the streets of LA to find out about the 40 year civil war in South Central Los Angeles that has lead to 15,000 dead. To explore the roots of this long-standing battle, Peralta speaks woth former and current members of the Bloods and the Crips, two of the most notorious and violent street gangs in America.Free

Boys and girls ages 10 to 16 will have the opportunity to learn and enhance their sports skills, conditioning skills and life skills with instruction from collegiate coaches and student-athletes in town for the Women’s Final Four.

Find out more information and sign up your child for one of the three by registering online at www.NCAA.com/finalfour.

Free

March to the Arch Fueled by POWERade

12:30 p.m

All ages are invited to join in the FREE March to the Arch Fueled by POWERade.

Dribblers between the ages of 6 and 16 will receive a FREE t-shirt and basketball (subject to availability).

Sat Apr 47:00 pm -11:00 pm6th Annual WALL BALL Fundraiser and CelebrationOne of St. Louis’ most notorious annual events, engaging an eclectic mix of artists, patrons and admirers. Wall Ball is live silent auction that features 45 artists working live on pieces of artwork that guests bid on throughout the evening’s festivities.Entertainment includes DJ Mahf and KDHX's Rob Levy, savory appetizers courtesy of L'Ecole Culinaire and satiating cocktails from Cooranbong Vodka.Third Degree Glass Factory5200 Delmar, St. Louis, MO 63108

Tickets now available and can be purchased at: UMA, Left Bank Books (CWE), Local Harvest Grocery or online http://www.wallball.eventbrite.com/ All proceeds benefit SCOSAG, including the cash bar.Volunteers needed:Day Shift Times (Light Set Up Duties): 10 am to 1 pm; 1 pm to 4 pm; 4 pm to 7 pmNight Shift Times: 8 pm to 11 pmSCOSAG is seeking volunteers to work at the Wall Ball. The South City Open Studio and Gallery provides free, supervised activities to inner City children. Volunteers will be assigned to Pre-event set up (no heavy lifting), registration, and serving. Those who sign up for pre-event set up will receive a free ticket to attend the event that night. Those who work the event are welcome to stay and play when their shift is done.

Come hear hear from St. Louis' leaders on infrastructure renewal priorities for the area's roads, bridges, sewers and other projects needed now and in the future. These projects represent long-term investments in economic growth and will create thousands of Missouri jobs and add billions to the state's economy.

Complimentary appetizers drink specials, and music will be provided. Bring your friends! Frazer's

1811 Pestalozzi St (Benton Park neighborhood)

St. Louis, MO 63118

$10 cover

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Fri Apr 176 – 10 p.m.Third Friday Open House & KWMU Young Friends (radioACTIVE) Happy HouseSee glass blowers and their heat defying acts. Gallery presents mixed media prints by Dale Shannon and glass art by Jeremy Lampe. At 8 p.m. it’s rock - Americana style - by Last To Show First To Go! Make a paperweight - only $30 - or spring glass tile keepsake for $20. Earth Day Special: bring you fave wine bottle – NO Labels – and for only $5, we’ll make it a glass platter. Third Fridays are free and family-friendly.

Fri Apr 18 – Sun Apr 19Go! St. Louis Family Fitness Weekend Join us for a weekend of fitness fun! Events for all ages and fitness levels. Register now to guarantee your spot and save on registration fees.Event applications are available online at http://www.gostlouis.org/ or call 314.727.0800 for additional information.

Sat Apr 18 & Sun Apr 1912:00 noon – 5:00 pm15th Anniversary Grand South Grand House TourTower Grove Park (inside main entrance @ Grand & Pestalozzi)The South Grand Community Improvement District is seeking volunteers to work at the Fifteenth Anniversary Grand South Grand House Tour. This tour will showcase the architectural and personal styles of grand living in five neighborhoods linked by South Grand Boulevard: Compton Heights, Compton Hill Reservoir Square, Shaw, Tower Grove East and Tower Grove Heights and includes two of the areas best known homes.

The event will also feature a wine tasting, delicious food and great music.Free parking and free shuttles will be provided to transport participants throughout the tour.Cost: $15 in advance and $18 the day or volunteer and attend for free.Volunteer Shifts: 11:00-2:30 & 2:15-5:00If you are interested in volunteering, contact us at:http://us.mc01g.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=volunteer@fuelforthecity.org.

Wed Apr 22all dayEarthdayBe sure to check out my other blogabout Environmental Science/Education and Outdoor Recreation for all of the great fun stuff you can do with your family and friends and to dave the planet.

Thu Apr 237 pm -untilALIVE Magazine's 6th Anniversary PartyDance all night to music by St. Louis' hottest DJs, and enjoy complimentary Pearl Vodka cocktails, Blue Moon beer and appetizers from Onesto from 7pm-9pm.Plus, guests will have the opportunity to win ALIVE's Favorite Things: Over 50 of the staff's must-have swag!SOL Lounge

4241 Lindell Blvd

Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Apr 29 -May 230th Annual St. Louis Storytelling FestivalMore than 60 storytellers and their audiences gather for the telling of tales.More than 40 locations around the metropolitan area and in St. Charles, including the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Arch, Missouri History Museum, local bookstores, and local landmarks, parks, and public areas.Check the full schedule here.The Storytelling Festival is coordinated by the University of Missouri–St. Louis Continuing Education and the College of Arts & Sciences, Special Programs, in partnership with various organizations throughout the St. Louis area.Free and open to the public.

Thu Apr 30all day16th annual Dining Out For Life to benefit Saint Louis Effort for AIDSParticipating restaurants and bars donate 25% or more of their earnings for the day to benefit St. Louis Effort for AIDS, a United Way agency.All you have to do is assemble a group of hungry thristy friends for a luncheon, dinner or happy hour gathering and spend money and get a full belly.StEFA has raised over $1.9 million since 1990 to provide education on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and comprehensive support services for those affected by the disease.I've been a dinner captain for 3 years running. Think you can raise more money than me? It's on.